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8 Christian Songs That Will Make You Cry

Jan 09, 2013

"I cry when I hear this song out of pure joy that someone like Jeremy Camp has written this and so many others that bring the Scriptures to life and inspire us to do what God would have us to do."

I have been singing since as far back as I can remember. Most will agree that one of the most difficult things to do is sing when you are crying. I can remember some songs that I have sung solo that brought me to tears for at least the first 10 times I ever sang them in rehearsal. Singing requires practice and concentration and so, in time, I am able to sing the song without tears when I focus on technique rather than lyrics. Here are eight Christian songs that make me cry. I believe these are some that will make you cry when you close your eyes and meditate upon the lyrics. Here they are in alphabetical order.

Blessings

I first heard this song by Laura Story when my daughter sent me a link to it during a time when I was in the valley. My eyes were opened and my spirit was refreshed to remember that sometimes trials in this life are just God’s mercies in disguise.

Favorite Lyric: “What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life, is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy. What if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights are Your mercies in disguise?”

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

How Great Thou Art

Truth be told: I cannot solo on this hymn. I have tried to rehearse it over and over, yet the overwhelming emotion of all that God has done brings tears every time I sing it. I would much rather hear someone else sing it and enjoy my tears of sorrow and joy.

Favorite Lyric: “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin”

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

I love how Crystal Lewis does this one in the video below:

I Can Only Imagine

Bart Millard of Christian Contemporary’s MercyMe wrote this song during a time when he was grieving the death of his father. His thoughts of Heaven are woven into this beautiful song that has helped others deal with the loss of loved ones as well. Tears of joy are what stream down my face as I can only imagine what Heaven will be like.

Favorite Lyric: “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in Your presence of to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine”

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”

I Will Rise

I do okay with this one until the bridge, and then I can cry a river in anticipation of hearing heavenly voices when I finally meet my Savior. Those who know me know that Chris Tomlin is one of or even my favorite worship leader and song writer at this time. He wrote this with his good friend and frequent co-writer Pastor Louie Giglio. Inspiration for the song came during a lunchtime conversation that the two of them were having about the lack of songs that encourage others how to get through the tough times in life. [1] This is a great song for Easter or any time at all. See if you can listen to the whole thing without shedding a tear.

Revelation 5:11-13 “ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

My Redeemer Lives

I have a sister that loves this song and so we have been known to cry together on this one. There are so many things around us that remind us that we have a living, loving, merciful and gracious Father. This song will make you meditate upon His wonderful creation and how very blessed we are to know the One True God.

Favorite Lyric: “The very same God that spins things in orbit runs to the weary, the worn and the weak. And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken They conquered death to bring me victory.”

Psalms 104:10-14: “He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;”

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

This song, with a simple melody, progresses through the life of a sinner that has been saved by grace. Changes in key and dynamics are what help this song as it tells of the changes that are possible when we walk in the Spirit. One line in the song says “Cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and Live!” How do you sing that without crying? I have included all of the lyrics here for you.

Weak and wounded sinner

Lost and left to die

O, raise your head, for love is passing by

Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted

And carried far away

And precious blood has washed away the stain, so

Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby

Don't be afraid to crawl

And remember when you walk

Sometimes we fall...so

Fall on Jesus, Fall on Jesus, Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely

And steep and filled with pain

So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then

Cry to Jesus, Cry to Jesus, Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over

And music fills the night

And when you can't contain your joy inside, then

Dance for Jesus, Dance for Jesus, Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat

Kiss the world goodbye

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and

Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus and live!

"The Truth" 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Via Dolorosa

This is an inspirational ballad that is sung in English and Spanish and was made popular several years ago by Sandi Patty. It is a dramatic retelling of when Jesus carried the cross to Calvary. I am able to sing this without tears, but I have never sung it to a congregation who sat dry eyed.

Favorite Lyric: “Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering. Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King, but He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me. Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.”

John 19:17-18: “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”

Walk by Faith

This song by Jeremy Camp was released at a time when our family experienced the loss of a dear friend who was only 20 years old. We miss him but he left behind fond memories and his strong testimony for Christ. Those were some dark days during his funeral and mourning period and this is the song that my youngest daughter hung onto “even when she could not see”. It seemed like a broken road at the time but I am so happy to share that at this young man’s funeral and those days surrounding, I saw more people come to know Jesus than ever before. I cry when I hear this song out of pure joy that someone like Jeremy Camp has written this and so many others that bring the Scriptures to life and inspire us to do what God would have us to do. This song holds a special place in my heart, as does the young man who is now with our Father in Heaven.

Favorite Lyric: “Well I will walk by faith even when I cannot see. Well because this broken road prepares Your will for me.”

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

These are just eight of the Christian songs that will make you cry that come to the top of my head. Perhaps you have one – we would love to hear your story. Leave a comment and tell us all about it.